An NMR-compatible microfluidic platform enablingin situelectrochemistry
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
9-1-2020
Abstract
Combining microfluidic devices with nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) has the potential of unlocking their vast sample handling and processing operation space for use with the powerful analytics provided by NMR. One particularly challenging class of integrated functional elements from the perspective of NMR are conductive structures. Metallic electrodes could be used for electrochemical sample interaction for example, yet they can cause severe NMR spectral and SNR degradation. These issues are more entangled at the micro-scale since the distorted volume occupies a higher ratio of the sample volume. In this study, a combination of simulation and experimental validation was used to identify an electrode geometry that, in terms of NMR spectral parameters, performs as well as for the case when no electrodes are present. By placing the metal tracks in the side-walls of a microfluidic channel, we found that NMR RF excitation performance was actually enhanced, without compromisingB(0)homogeneity. Monitoringin situdeposition of chitosan in the microfluidic platform is presented as a proof-of-concept demonstration of NMR characterisation of an electrochemical process.
Keywords
Nuclear-magnetic-resonancein, Situelectrochemical-NMR
Divisions
Science,CHEMISTRY
Publication Title
Lab on a Chip - Miniaturisation for Chemistry and Biology
Volume
20
Issue
17
Publisher
Royal Soc Chemistry
Publisher Location
THOMAS GRAHAM HOUSE, SCIENCE PARK, MILTON RD, CAMBRIDGE CB4 0WF, CAMBS, ENGLAND